Catalysts for Community Health

Description

Catalysts for Community Health (C4CH) is a program developed by the University of Missouri School of Information Science & Learning Technologies that trained a cohort of 10 Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) students to expand health information resources for underserved communities. The students took online classes and completed training while they learned about and contributed expertise to local networks including libraries and community health settings like hospitals, senior centers, and school programs. They also gained experience creating public programs with open-access health information resources.

Program coordinators recruited students from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) MidContinental Region: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming. The cohort consisted of students from Colorado, Missouri, and Nebraska.

C4CH was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Services offered

The C4CH program:

• Fostered the development of information and curriculum resources
• Encouraged outreach and collaboration with community organizations
• Trained students to lead community health information networks

Results

The cohort of 10 students graduated in summer of 2022. Student projects included:

• Distribution of health information fliers and educational materials in community spaces
• Creating a "one stop shop" of available local healthcare resources
• Implementation of online programming for stress reduction

Additionally, the C4CH advisory board developed an online educational resource for librarians engaging in community health and wellness.

Challenges

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students could not work with community partners in person or even work inside their own libraries at times. Instead, students worked with partners and completed projects online. While there are disadvantages and challenges to working remotely, program coordinators say that these remote collaborations were fruitful.

Replication

Librarians can encourage promising employees to earn their MLIS or to work through certifications offered by their state or national organization such as the Medical Library Association. Recruit employees who are interested in staying in their communities and helping improve the health of community members.

Faculty in MLIS programs can work closely with faculty in other disciplines to make sure that information from the cross-disciplinary curriculum is still useful to students as librarians. Meet with other faculty to discuss your needs and purpose for the program. Also, work with an advisory team to figure out how courses from other departments, such as public health and medical informatics, are relevant or useful.

Contact Information

Jenny Bossaller, Associate Professor
University of Missouri School of Information Science & Learning Technologies
Catalysts for Community Health
bossallerj@missouri.edu